Overview & Reviews

"Oh Lord, won't you buy me a Mercedes-Benz?" That's the opening line of "Mercedes-Benz," a song most famously recorded by singer Janis Joplin in the early 1970s. The tune gently poked fun at materialism and our desire for the finer things in life. It's fitting that the renowned German marque figures prominently in the lyric. Mercedes-Benz has long been known for crafting vehicles that emphasize luxury and refinement. For many, its vehicles are sleek symbols of status, success and good taste.

In January of 1886, Karl Benz unveiled the world's first automobile, a three-wheeled vehicle dubbed the Benz Patent Motor Car. A few months later, Gottlieb Daimler and his chief engineer Wilhelm Maybach rolled out a four-wheeled vehicle powered by his Daimler engine. The first Mercedes was crafted in 1901, shortly after Daimler's death. Built by Maybach, the car was commissioned by Emil Jellinek, one of Daimler's primary distributors, and was ultimately named after Jellinek's daughter, Mercedes.

In 1926, the companies founded by Daimler and Benz merged to form Daimler-Benz AG, and the Mercedes-Benz brand was born. The company's insignia was a three-pointed star wreathed in a laurel; the star was dreamed up by Daimler years earlier, and its three points signified the fact that his engines were used in vehicles that traveled land, air and sea.

Right from the start, the Mercedes-Benz name was synonymous with automotive excellence. One of the automaker's earliest vehicles, the 1931 Mercedes-Benz 170, distinguished itself as the world's first production car to offer a technology that was nothing short of extraordinary for the day: four-wheel independent suspension. The '30s and '40s saw Mercedes establishing itself as the brand of choice for car buyers seeking the ultimate in luxury, thanks to coveted cruisers like the 380 and 540K.

The 1950s witnessed the introduction of the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL "Gullwing," a sports car that has been described as being the world's first supercar. With its dramatic styling and race-bred technology, the 300 SL reigns today as a classic coveted by collectors worldwide. The decade also saw Daimler-Benz making strides in the area of safety technology. The company's Mercedes-Benz 220 sedans were the first vehicles to incorporate its patented "crumple zone" body design, created to absorb impact in the event of a crash.

In 1963, the company cemented its reputation as the home of automotive luxury with the launch of the Mercedes-Benz 600. The elegant, luxurious sedan was also available as a limousine and featured an ahead-of-its-time air suspension system and a V8 engine that boasted 300 horsepower. The decade also saw the launch of the Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.3. This full-size sedan went from zero to 60 in under seven seconds, distinguishing itself as the quickest luxury car is its day.

The 1970s saw the birth of the brand's storied S-Class line of vehicles, opulent sedans and coupes that coddled passengers with powerful engines and a long list of luxury features. The decade also saw Mercedes continuing on the cutting edge of safety technology, by being the first to offer antilock brakes in its vehicles.

Daimler-Benz's safety advancements continued in the 1980s. Its cars were the first to offer airbags and traction control. The manufacturer also raised the bar in terms of ride comfort and handling when it introduced multilink rear suspension. The technology debuted on the compact Mercedes-Benz 190 E, and it remains a vital component of the company's chassis engineering to this day.

Mercedes-Benz vehicles got an extra dose of power and performance in the 1990s, thanks to the manufacturer's partnership with AMG, a performance and tuning shop that was eventually purchased by the company to help produce ultra-high-performance versions of some of its vehicles. The first AMG model offered in the U.S. was the sporty C36 AMG in 1995; since then, Mercedes has gone on to offer an AMG-tuned version of almost all of its vehicles.

The company's current lineup is the most comprehensive in its history. With a variety of sedans, coupes, SUVs and roadsters filling Mercedes showrooms, it seems like the only thing missing is a pickup truck. Surely, the fact that Janis Joplin's song holds as much relevance today as it did four decades ago is a strong indicator that the brand's premier status is still very much intact.

User Reviews:

• 

  Change your transmission oil! - 2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Justacustomer - August 22 - 7:40 am

  I really loved having this car, but now I am told that I need a new transmission. I drive a lot, which is why I got the diesel. One time I got 40 miles per gallon on a trip to the shore! I brought the car in religiously for service which is why I was so shocked that my tranz needed replacement. Transmission oil is not listed to be changed at intervals like regular oil. I wish I changed it at 80K because then I would not have been writing this review. Learn from my mistake. Change the tranny oil.

• 

  pleased - 1999 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By kclark - August 21 - 10:00 am

  I bought used and this car has been exceptional. I love the styling, also size for for this class. Its has more legroom than comparable sedans. So far so good on repairs, at this point I would highly reccomend this model. If I had to repurchase today I would.

• 

  No Lemon Here - 2002 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By HappyWithMine - August 20 - 4:36 pm

  Despite so many negative reviews of the ML-class, our experience with this vehicle since purchasing it new has been one of trouble free driving. While its true that some of the plastic interior materials are of lower quality than one would expect from Mercedes Benz, the fit and finish of the vehicle has been excellent. I really have no complaints about this SUV. It has always started; the AC is perfect; no electrical issues; the drive train is sound; the chassis is solid and squeak-free. Perhaps weve just been lucky, but after 65,000 miles this Benz has been at least as reliable as my old Mitsubishi Montero...which was the best car Ive ever owned.

• 

  2 in my garage - 2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By oldgitsalesp - August 20 - 5:33 am

  Having owned 7 MBZs in total, we have finally come to where I can say this is the real deal. I like them so much, that I have two of these in my garage. A 2002 and 2005 for me. Yes, we are blessed! High maintenance cost, brakes/tires, but a once in a lifetime thrill. Everbody checks it out.

• 

  It really filled a need - 2007 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
  By N. Y. owner - August 19 - 7:23 am

  At 200.3 inches, it is the perfect mid- size SUV( BMWs new X5 just went from 183 to 192 inches -- and is still too small ). Superb driving, passenger comfort, power, and acceleration. 12 inches longer than the ML translates into much greater load capacity. This is the first new car we have purchased in many years (and our first SUV ever). The need was there. Why did Mercedes wait so long?

• 

  Five stars for this outstanding machine - 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLE Class
  By john trela - August 18 - 7:33 am

  This car is nothing but class. Previously I owned an ML 350 2012, and this one is more superior. While the Mercedes ride is as smooth as ever, the navigation system is much easier to work with and the 360° Camera for backing upis wonderful. The interior of the car is soft very I appealing to the eye and has very nice ambience lighting. Acceleration is terrific as is the sound system. Five stars for sure. Pricey, but worth every penny.

• 

  If you want a tank, heres your baby - 2005 Mercedes-Benz G-Class
  By pampushky - August 17 - 3:36 pm

  This is a weird car, but I love it. It is solid, mighty and odd, but it commands attention, it is safe, and you get a workout while you drive it. It isnt for everyone, it takes time to get used to and the mileage is awful. But it is the best car I have ever driven. Only fault besides mileage is middle seat needs a shoulder seatbelt and not just a lep belt.

• 

  Excellent road car, poor reliabilty - 2001 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By Sam Julier - August 16 - 8:23 pm

  Car driven all highway miles. Excellent engine and drive train. Quiet interior, low wind noise. 32 mpg w/ 6spd. Solid handling and tracking, supurb braking. Very high frequency of maintenance and expense compared to previously owed Volvos. Parking brake failed 3x, climate control 2x (and never the same as new), teleaid 1x, CD player 2x, both rear coils cracked 1x, strut bushing replaced 3x, fuel line clogged 1x, keys 1x, turn signal harness 1x, light harness 1x, oil level sensor 1x, ignition Lock and Steering Lock 1x, ELT connector 1x. The amount of service necessitated selling the car. It is a huge dissapointment as the car is a joy to drive.

• 

  Very Happy to be BACK to MB - 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By tiger48 - August 16 - 12:35 pm

  After a long jouney through autoland, Im finally back to MB. And very pleased with the E350 4Matic. Ive driven the car for one year without any issues at all. The car operates in the snow like a Jeep and the Paddle shifters allow you to down shift in bad conditions. The car is fast enough for todays conjested road conditions with power to pass (and besides if I want speed Ill drive my Corvette).

• 

  A car named Desire - 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By Tarun - August 14 - 6:26 pm

  Excellent driving pleasure with pleasing exteriors. Responds to control very well. Superior acoustics and a 6 change CD player make driving fun. Besides, the dealership is excellent with tremendous post sales follow up. In fact, that was the major deciding factor as the Lexus and BMW salespersons were so lacklustre in their sales pitch that I was apprehensive if they would have any post-sales interest in me at all. However, still feel I was slightly overcharged for the car so go with the invoice and dont budge while bargaining.